3 Kitchen Countertop Surfaces Explained

countertopsWhen it comes to renovating your kitchen, there are so many new options when it comes to counter tops that it can be a little intimidating to pick one. We're going to cover some of the most popular counter top surfaces to help make that decision a lot easier. This isn't an exhaustive list, but it should give you a jumping off point. We'll cover what makes that surface worthwhile as well as some downsides that could mean a deal breaker.

Tile -

This is an old standby when it comes to a countertop surface, but it is still quite popular. You'll be able to match just about any décor and they're very easy to install. On the plus side, tiles are usually quite economical, unless you're getting them specially made or designed. You can make your own mosaics and get crazy with colors or you can keep it simple. The overall finished look is completely determined by you, so this is a great surface if you really want a custom feel to your kitchen.

The main downside of tile is that there are some health risks involved if you don't keep it clean enough. Tile caulk or grout can catch food debris and bacteria and they are unfortunately pretty good breeding grounds for diseases. If you do pick tile, make sure that you thoroughly clean not only the tiles, but the grout or caulk in between them. Tile can also crack if you place something heavy or hot on it, so you will need to use extra care with it.

Marble -

This is such a stunning surface and it can add a touch of class to any kitchen. It's moderately expensive, but you'll have a lot of choices when it comes to picking the color scheme and even the design of the marble. These counters are incredibly durable and usually quite scratch resistant. If you do a lot of food prep, this is a very nice material to work on.

The main downside of marble is that it will require some special cleaners to keep it looking nice. These should be used in addition to your regular cleaners. This adds a second step to the whole process and if you're very busy, it can be a bit of a drag. Marble can crack if you place something that is too heavy on it, but overall it is pretty durable if you take the right precautions.

Poured Counters -

This is a relatively new surface that has caught on quickly. By far it is the most durable surface and it's easy to clean. You'll be able to have it poured in any design, so it's perfect for odd shaped kitchens or high design ideas. It takes a lot of effort to damage a poured counter and overall, even though they are the most expensive, they are the easiest to keep up.

Every once in awhile, they do crack and this usually means replacing the entire surface since it is one large piece. Unlike tiles where you can fix the one trouble spot, you'll have to have the entire surface repaired, which is costly and time consuming.

Photo Credits: 1

Originally posted 2008-11-13 03:15:38. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • acSimple Air Conditioning Cleaning Keeping your air conditioner clean is the best way to make sure it runs at its maximum capacity. Air conditioning cleaning will vary depending on the type of air conditioner you use, but all of them are relatively simple as long as you have basic tools and can follow directions......
  • caulkingCaulking a Bathtub in 5 Easy Steps Water can penetrate into your bathroom walls, causing expensive damage unless you take precautions to keep your bathtub properly caulked at all times. Here are the steps involved in the process: 1 - Examine the entire joint between the wall and the bathtub. Mold, mildew, caulk and soap scum should......
  • garage-doorSelecting the Best Garage Door Today, we have so many options when it comes to picking a garage door that it can be a bit overwhelming. However, there are a few guidelines and tips you can use to make the selection process a lot easier. Let's take a look at the four main types of......
  • shuttersInstall Interior Window Shutters to Cool Your House If you’re dealing with a lot of windows in your home and you are worried about keeping it cool inside, one of the best solutions is interior shutters. They will cost more than drapes, but they are easier to clean and much more permanent. The look of interior shutters can......
  • clrReview of CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner claims to be fast and easy. Supposedly you only need to wipe and rinse, as seen on TV. What it is: CLR is an instant cleaner for plastic or resin, rattan, wicker, wood, wrought iron, vinyl, PVC, and canvas furniture. On top of that it is......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • Runway01 T-shirt GirlsNew Dutch Design T-shirts by SaltwaterMonkey SaltwaterMonkey Dutch Design T-shirts is the latest T-shirt shop from the Netherlands. All designs are made by the best Dutch Designers. Come over to vote for your favourite design and buy one of the T-shirts, or learn how to get a free T-shirt. The shirts are made of the finest......
  • snackingHealthy Eating Plans for Increased Nutrition When it comes to getting healthy and losing weight, one of the best things that you can do is to add healthy eating plans to your lifestyle. If you want to lose weight, build a healthier body or just improve your general health, then healthy eating plans are going to......
  • blog traffic exchange3 Tips to Keep Customers Coming Back It's essential for small business owners to understand what makes customers keep coming back. After all, there's not much better than a repeat customer who chooses to come back to your business time and time again. As an entrepreneur, it's up to you to make sure that the quality of......
  • blog traffic exchangeWhat Is Clutter WHAT IS CLUTTER? Merriam-Webster?s Dictionary defines clutter as ?a crowded or confused mass or collection.? Does this sound like your house? What about your office at work? Maybe in your car? Clutter follows you everywhere and if you have clutter in one place, more than likely, you have clutter in......
  • blog traffic exchangeFitting Gift Ideas for Everyone Fitting gift ideas for everyone is the goal when buying gifts for someone else. Children habitually get pleasure from gifts. At what time a youngster does a good deed, a reasonably priced gift could make a difference, since it will endorse influence. Children are frequently persnickety; for that reason finding......
Online Stores If you liked this article, vote for it on del.icio.us and stumbleupon.


Categories:

Aesthetics, Countertops, Design, Handy Man, Kitchen, Tile, marble



Tags:

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


0 comments ↓

There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.

Leave a Comment

Email Updates